So many times I have been to a service where the person speaking really did not know the person who was being celebrated. It seemed sad, so I decided I would write my own eulogy. I mean, really, who knows me better than me? (except for a few friends who know way too much and are probably laughing inwardly right now!) I was born in Dauphin on Friday, November 26, 1965, to Gert and Ken Franklin. We moved to The Pas when I was 4 or 5, and this has been my home ever since. The Dauphin days are my earliest memories of riding with my Dad on his motorcycle. He took me all kinds of places. Until the day I decided to try to climb on it myself and knocked it over. I think I may have been banned for a few weeks after that. Brother Bryan came along in 1968, and soon after we moved to The Pas. Arriving at the homestead in The Pas was exciting and scary. I'm not sure how long exactly, but I don't think too much time passed until I ran over to the neighbours to see if there was a little girl there that I could play with. And so began a lifelong friendship with Sharmaine, and a second family with the Dirks clan! We had some adventures, me and Shar. Good times, good memories. Love you guys!! I attended Opasquia Elementary school for grades 1 to 6, where I met a ton of friends who I remain in contact with today (thanks to Facebook!!!). Then off to Scott Bateman Middle School for grades 7 and 8, where I excelled in sports and received many trophies (and a few broken bones). Again - met a ton of friends who remain in my life, and who I am thankful for!! High School ... oh what fun high school was. Remember? C'mon - it's such a stressful time in most teenager's lives! No different for me. Education, mom and dad on your case, boyfriends, friend drama, self-esteem worries, etc., etc. Well, Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute was no different. Grades 9 to 12 - learning our gazintas, history, biology .... learning how to get along with other hormonal teenagers ... learning how to get along with teachers, people in authority.... figuring out who we are and where we're headed. Such an eventful four years. I graduated in 1983. Pulled it off!! And again - made so many friends who I continued to stay in touch with. I was blessed with my oldest son in 1983. Robert showed up just as I was trying to do exams for Grade 12. I remember doing an English exam in the hospital. I wouldn't change a moment of that experience for anything. I became a Mom. Most important job in the world. Scariest moment ever. But we managed to make it, right Rob?? I went on to do a year at Keewatin Community College in the Secretarial Arts Program. Once that was finished, the scary thought of "OMIGOODNESS I'M AN ADULT NOW" became a reality. That was almost scarier than becoming a Mom!!! First job was at CN, started out as a secretary, moved on to a stores clerk, became their first female forklift operator. Then I moved on to work for the Manitoba Government Department of Highways were I stayed for almost 20 years. Started out as a secretary, got involved with the Safety aspect of things, then became involved with the Operator Training. Took a 2 year hiatus and moved over to Public Health/Environment as the Office Administrator, then went back to Highways as a Safety/Operator Trainer. LOVED that position. Miss it every day. When my time at Highways came to an end, I went to the Town of The Pas as their first Safety Officer, and then from there I became a Correctional Officer at The Pas Correctional Centre. Love that position as well, and missed it and my work family horribly when I got sick. So - it's safe to say I did a lot of different things over the course of my careers, and also met and cherish a ton of folks who I'm proud to say are my friends!! My other greatest accomplishments are, of course, my kids. Robert (1983), Justin (1985), Brodie (1990) and Hanna (1992). I am the proudest parent ever and I love my kids more than life itself!! If I try to say more, I'll end up blubbering and that's not what I want this to be about. Just suffice it to say that they are my world. Justin has blessed me with three grandchildren—Emma, Daywin and Dillon. Pretty sure when Emma came along I thought I was a little young to be a granny, but I soon got used to it!! Other activities that I have enjoyed over the years involve riding horses, riding my motorcycle, playing guitar and singing with the girls, coloring, travelling, fixing my house, spending time with friends, camping. I especially cherish the riding, with my Dude - my love, and all of my biking friends, from The Pas, Flin Flon, Thompson, and the Winnipeg Harley Riders Association, with whom I was blessed to become a member of a few years ago. Please, my friends, my family - celebrate my life. It was a good one, and you all made it that way!! I am blessed to have the things I have. Be happy for me, and cherish our memories. I am not gone, I have just moved on. But I will always be with you in spirit, and in thoughts, and beside you when you need me to be. With that sentiment, I would like you to do something for me that I wasn't able to do myself. I've had a bucket list for some time now, and wasn't able to get to everything that was on it. So I took it upon myself to "assign" sections of my bucket list to people who I thought the activities would fit. If you choose to carry out the event, think of me while doing so, maybe leave a little note or something behind on my behalf. If not, no worries. If I couldn't make it happen, then I shall not begrudge anyone else who can't. It's a way for you to keep our memories alive!! And, I thought it would be fun. In closing, I would like to share a poem I wrote about five years ago. THE WISDOM OF THE CRONE "Worry not, my friend", I am told "All will be well, t'were the future foretold". "But how do you know?, I ask of thee." "Worry is useless", she says to me. "Troubles are timeless and ne'er worth much thought, 'Tis love, hope and happy, where our minds should be caught." I smile and think "Nonsense!", my heart like a stone. How could she know? Silly old crone. Her eyes see my soul, her hand rests on mine, "My words speak to truth - you'll find it with time." "I've been where you are, and thought what you're thinking, Muddled the days and not noticed the shrinking. The knowledge comes swift when it's nigh on too late, The lessons I've learned were not taught on slate. Heed heavy this wisdom I pass on to you, Give freely to love, to thine own self be true. Toss worry and troubles to our great Mother's breath, Let them tumble and swirl to their own timely death. Open your heart to the love and the laughter, Spawn memories happy that last ever after." I look to the depths of her all-seeing eyes, And know in my heart she's seen lows and seen highs. Her message was clear, heartfelt and hit home. She knows, and she's laughing. Silly old crone. "Worry not, my friend", I say to her, "All will be well, for the future is sure." Written by Sue (Franklin) Doucette March 30, 2010 Love, light, laughter, health and wealth and brightest blessings are my wishes for you all!! Thank you for coming here today to honor me. I love you!!